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 October 2019
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Dear FWC Team,
Due to your efforts across divisions FWC was able to collect almost 2,500 samples for chronic wasting disease testing last fiscal year. We are now into the second year of our surge in CWD surveillance with the goal of collecting 3,000 samples – especially from under-sampled counties (those in orange or red in the map below). We are fortunate that CWD has not been detected in Florida; however, the disease is now present in Tennessee and Mississippi. The goal of CWD surveillance is to detect the disease early should it be introduced into Florida. CWD surveillance in deer is an agency priority, and we need your help to be on the alert for and report any dead or sick deer, and to potentially help collect (or report) roadkilled and hunter-killed deer.
What to be alert for:
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Deer that are sick or dead of unknown causes from all counties
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Road-killed deer from all counties
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Hunter-killed deer from high priority counties (those in red and orange in map below)
Call the CWD hotline 866-293-9282 (866-CWD WATCH) or report through the FWC Reporter App.
What you can do to help:
- If you see deer that are sick or dead of unknown causes, the entire carcass is needed for necropsy. Take photos/video if possible and call the hotline.
- If you see road-killed deer call the hotline. Or if you can safely pull over and are willing/able to do so - please remove the head and then drag the carcass off to the side out of public view. Only the head is needed and it can be bagged, labeled, and saved on ice or frozen. Accurate location data and date collected is needed.
- Help coordinate collection of samples from hunter-killed deer from high priority counties. Only the head is needed (antlers, skull cap and cape can be removed and can be frozen. Date collected, location data, and hunter contact info should be included with each head.
- If you deer hunt, please save heads for sampling. If you are part of a hunt club please ask if the FWC can sample heads. We especially need samples from high priority counties (counties with fewer than 100 samples collected in past 10 years. Please see map below. Note that many of these counties are contiguous.)
Thank you for your help,
Eric
Number of CWD samples collected by FWC in the Past 10 years
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 Newly-appointed (July 19) Commissioners Steven Hudson and Rodney Barreto were welcomed to the Oct. 2-3 Commission meeting in Cape Canaveral. Some of the items discussed included:
FWC Commissioners move to protect Florida shoal bass
FWC approves blackfin tuna rule changes
FWC explores Biscayne National Park fishing regulations changes
FWC approves draft changes to spotted seatrout rules
 This October, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute will celebrate a special milestone, the 25th anniversary of our annual open house, MarineQuest. During this award-winning event, tour the research headquarters with friends and family as you learn about the unique flora and fauna of Florida, as well as exciting research being conducted across the state.
Our labs will be open to the public, with scientists standing by to guide you through interactive displays and answer any questions you may have. Here, you can learn about some of the timely conservation topics, such as red tide or coral disease, and engage with the experts leading this research. Outside, explore touch tanks filled with Florida marine life, such as sharks, starfish, rays, horseshoe crabs, spiny lobster and much more. Other stations demonstrate research on shorebirds, Florida panthers, and a variety of important habitats.
MarineQuest offers something for all ages, including interactive activities specifically designed for younger ages, such as gyotaku, a fish printing technique originally used by Japanese fisherman to record their catches. Visitors can also participate in a mock manatee rescue with our marine mammal rescue team!
We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, October 19 as we celebrate 25 years of MarineQuest.
 For FWC employees eligible for State Group Insurance Program benefits, Open Enrollment for the 2020 plan year begins on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at 8 a.m. (ET). Visit MyBenefits.MyFlorida.com to learn what’s new or view the full 2020 Benefits Guide. Changes to your benefit elections can be made online in People First or by calling the People First service center at 866-663-4735. All elections made during the open enrollment period go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
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The FWC is seeking public input on an update to the state’s comprehensive Florida Black Bear Management Plan. The original plan was created in 2012 to provide a statewide framework for actions needed to ensure the long-term survival of bears and address bear management challenges.
The updates to the original plan include new data, an expansion of the Bear Management Unit Profiles and a new section on population management techniques. A summary of the major updates is available on the FWC website at MyFWC.com/Bear
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 On Oct. 5, nine students, four coaches and seven parents embarked down the Newman Branch Paddling Trail from the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center. These students were all part of a very specific group – Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay. Utilizing a unique partnership with the City of St. Petersburg and training in adaptive paddling techniques from the American Canoe Association, the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center was able to adapt kayaks to fit the needs of all participants – including those who use a wheelchair – giving them a sense of freedom on the water. In total, the participants kayaked about 3 miles – their arms were sore, but their spirits were high and their smiles huge.
In the future, the Suncoast is looking forward to strengthening the bond with all partners involved and offering more ADA-compliant programming, especially with the completion of the new fishing pier on site.
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 Beginning with the 2019-2020 hunting season, youth 15-years-old and younger who are supervised by an adult can participate in the FWC’s new Youth Deer Hunt Weekend. This Saturday-Sunday youth deer hunt coincides with the muzzleloading gun season in all four hunting zones and is not available on wildlife management areas. WMAs have had youth and family deer hunts for years, so this newly established season is a way to encourage youth deer hunting on other lands. The new opportunity supports the FWC’s commitment to igniting interest in hunting and creating the next generation of conservation stewards.
Learn more about the Youth Deer Hunt Weekend.
The program that has already eliminated more than 2,500 invasive pythons from Florida's Everglades is getting bigger thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board.
The Governing Board voted to double the number of hunters in its Python Elimination Program, started in March of 2017 and which has removed more than 2,540 snakes. The Governing Board also voted to triple the funding for this critical program.
The program pays trained python contractors an hourly wage and a bounty based on the size of snakes to find and remove Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Burmese pythons are a nonnative invasive predator that have become a severe threat to south Florida's native ecosystems. Pythons prey heavily on Florida wildlife, such as rabbits and birds, and directly compete for food with native predators such as bobcats and Florida panthers. The 2,500th snake eliminated by the program was caught just recently by Michael Kimmel.
The Governing Board also authorized entering into an agreement with federal agencies and other state agencies that will allow District python hunters to access more state and federal lands in South Florida to hunt pythons
"This is not individual agencies or entities with individual programs to remove pythons. This is one program with a diversified portfolio of assets and stakeholders to accomplish one mission, " said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton.
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 Recent news from the FWC:
Exotic Pet Amnesty Day set for October 12 in Fort Walton Beach
FWC workshop October 18 in Sarasota County encourages gopher tortoise conservation
FWC Python Action Team removes 900th snake, captures record python from Big Cypress National Preserve
New youth deer hunt weekend and muzzleloader season
FWC’s TrophyCatch program celebrates 9,000 catches
New rule protecting Florida’s native songbirds from illegal trapping takes effect
FWC seeks angler assistance in tournament economics study
 Janice T. Kerber
Janice was awarded the American Camp Association’s Southeastern Conference Distinguished Service Award for service to the region which is outstanding and above and beyond the expectations of the position held. In 1996, she became the program director for the FWC/Everglades Youth Conservation Camp and served as the director until 2004 and again from 2014 to the present. Camp allows her to fulfill her dream of getting children to experience their natural environment through exploration.
  Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through email on the "Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com/Contact. When your coworkers receive kudos, help share the good news by contacting Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
Officer Richard Klobuchar
I was driving home from a dinner party at a local restaurant when my car ran out of gas after I stopped for a light. It was my good fortune that right behind me was Officer Klobuchar. He immediately got out of his vehicle with other officers from another division that, unfortunately, I never had a chance to thank. They all pushed my car to the side of the road where it was safe. Even better than that, Officer Klobuchar gave me a lift about a half mile away to pick up a full gas can at my home and drove me back to my car. He waited to make sure the car would start before he left. The entire time in his vehicle we had a pleasant conversation. He treated me with respect and kindness. In this age one only hears what the bad apples in the police force. We all need to know and be thankful that there are honorable and respectful police officers working hard and putting their lives on the line every day. Officer Rick is one of them. You guys hit the motherload with him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made a believer out of me.
Bryce Pierce, HSC
On behalf of the FDOT District Four Environmental Health and Safety Department, I just wanted to drop a brief note to say “THANK YOU” for an excellent and informative presentation today. The staff at our MRO raved about the information you imparted and remarked about how much they learned today! Thanks for taking the time out of your hectic schedule to share your incredible wisdom and insight with our FDOT family!
Maj. Fred Rondeau
I was driving on a two-lane highway when I cut in front of Maj. Rondeau's vehicle illegally and rather rudely. I expected the officer to be at least slightly annoyed; instead, I was surprised by his pleasant demeanor. While I did not appreciate the (well-deserved) ticket, I did appreciate the professionalism and courtesy Maj. Rondeau showed. When I looked at the ticket and saw he was with the FWC, I thought, “Oh that explains the kind, professional demeanor.” Since my first impression of your commission and your officers was so impressive, I plan on contacting your Palm Beach office to see if they would be willing to do outreach at the Loxahatchee Library where I am a librarian. Please keep up the good work and tell Maj. Rondeau he deserves a raise.
Tiffany Vital, HGM
Tiffany went above and beyond what I was expecting. I'm used to waiting days for responses to questions about things and once the response comes, a lot of times it’s the wrong answer. I slacked off and didn't get my license before snook season started and also wanted to get my hunters’ license. I already have my CCW and called FWC to see what else would be necessary for the hunting license. They said I was all set and to head to my local tax collector. At the tax collector’s I was told something different - there is an online course and paperwork I have to do. I ended up leaving without any licenses and more questions. I was also quite frustrated. I decided to call FWC again and by chance I got Tiffany Vital on the phone. She explained exactly what I needed to do and emailed me a step-by-step guide and attached all the paperwork I would need. The email included links to the courses and pricing and everything. I was able to do everything I needed directly from that one email. I quickly did everything and replied to the email with the completed paperwork. I received a response the same day letting me know I had to actually send the paperwork to the office in my zone but, guess what, Tiffany already had forwarded it to the correct person. Tiffany was the best thing to happen in this whole experience, she honestly helped and handled the issue. So many times you get pointed in the right direction but are handed off to someone else or not really guided. Tiffany didn't do this, she solved the issue as much as she could for me. Experiences like the one I had with Tiffany make this Florida native proud to have and support organizations like the FWC.
Jake Fitzroy, FYCCN
  Congratulations to the following employees for reaching 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC.
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30 Years
Kevin Enge, FWRI
Jay Holder, FWRI
Anna Jasent, HSC
Jan Landsberg, FWRI
Craig Mallison, FWRI
Tom Matthews, FWRI
Steve Stiegler, HGM
25 Years
Mark Lotz, HSC
20 Years
Zach Chapman, FFM
Christine Simmons, LE
15 Years
Stacey Anderson, FWRI
David Pate, LE
10 Years
Cyndi Bellingar, FFM
April Granholm, FWRI
Jennifer Lacey, NE Region
Melanie Parker, FWRI
5 Years
Jeffrey Allgood, LE
Keelin Alsobrooks, LE
Courtney Baumgartner, LE
Adam Boyd, LE
Erika Burgess, MFM
Eli Burkhead, LE
Michael Carroll, LE
Lauren Chriest, LE
John Coker, LE
Patrick Defeo, LE
Eric Fletcher, LE
Brandon Hadwin, LE
Aaron Kautz, HGM
Kevin Kleis, LE
Joshua Lawrence, LE
Tracey Mckinney, LE
Cynthia Mann, LE
Garrett Mendelson, LE
Tim Metcalf, IT
Benjamin Norbrothen, LE
Milton Osorio, LE
Raul Perez, LE
Alex Piekenbrock, LE
Jeff Pierce, IT
Denise Rach, HSC
Zachary Rice, LE
Michael Scinta, LE
Martin Shermetaro, LE
Brennan Starling, LE
Sarah Stokes, SW Region
David Travis, LE
Ryan Trueblood, LE
John West, LE
Retired!
John Fussell, FBO – 27 years, 8 months
John Young, FWRI – 33 years, 5 months
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(The FWC has a great many non-FTE employees, and they deserve recognition for reaching 5-year milestones too. Unfortunately, the system doesn't keep track of such statistics; but we don't want that to stop us. If you know of a non-FTE employee about to reach a 5-year milestone, please notify the Inside Job by email.) |
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FWC employees have some of the most interesting jobs ever! Here are some of our employees doing what they do best. Send your photos of FWC employees in the office and in the field to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
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 Youngsters practicing their archery skills at Eglin AFB, a potential FYCCN partner.
 Patti Brown and Kristen Griffin manned a booth at an event at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. This free outreach activity promoted bass fishing as well as Joe Budd WMA.
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The Inside Job is a monthly newsletter featuring
the employees and programs of the FWC.
Send your submissions, comments and questions to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
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